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Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

Does anyone have any pics of the pitts Challenger that BME sells??? Engine mounted, inside fuse or any at all. Someone must be flying this thing. I am looking real hard at one and want to see someone who actually has one. I have a DA 50 I want to put in it and I bet it will have all the power you could want with one. My WildHare Edge sure does with one and it is heavier by a hair than the weight range listed for the Pitts Challenger.

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

Hi Norman

Looks like we have similar ideas. I recently received my Challenger and am also considering a DA50. I posted a thread similar to yours. Have had only two replies from people who have seen it fly, one with a DA50 the other with a 3W60. To date no first hand knowledge of this aircraft.
Kind of makes you wonder. Will probably start building after Christmas. So any information will be helpful.

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

I'm putting a ZDZ50 in mine. I hope to have some pics up to show the firewall box mod that allows clearance of the Bisson Pitts muffler. Too many projects going on and with the Holidays its really slowing things up. I'm actually putting together 3 models - a Bronco OV-10, the BME Challenger and a Spectra G heli... Things are getting close, but none of 'em are flyable yet!!

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

Hi Migflyer

I also have the pitts challenger. Will start building the aircraft soon. Cannot make my mind up about what engine to fit. I like the idea of a DA50 you obviously have flown the aircraft.
Do you think the DA would provide enough power to 3D the aircraft? Any information would be helpful. Many thanks

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

Jonny,

Go to the BME website and watch the Pitts video. That's on a BME 50. From what I've seen a DA50 should rock. I'm in the market for this plane right now. The DA, ZDZ and BME 50 all look like perfact poweplants for it. A couple people on other threads were using the 3W60, but it weighs 2 lbs more. I don't think it's worth the weight penalty. The ZDZ 60 might be a good compromise.

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

I am flying mine with the Evolution 58GX on a 24x10 prop It came in at 19# ... but still has unlimited vertical. I am having to shift some weight around because it came in a little nose heavy with the 58GX.

One thing that I found:

1. Build the plane as described in the manual with the negative incidence in the top wing. I built mine at 0 degrees all the way around and ... the faster you went the more it wanted to climb. I now have -1 1/2 in the top wing and it will maintain altitude at any throttle

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

It's been a few months since the last construction post. Can any one give me update? I have one and would like to know the pros/cons, do/dont's, engines installed.
If any one has pictures I'd like to see them.

RE: Pics of BME Pitts Challenger

I've got about 10 flights on mine. I put the BME 50 in the nose. Plane flies great. Couple of my complaints (1) I couldn't find a Pitts style muffler to fit in the cowl and I had to have one custom built. (2) The paint on the landing gear and cowl chips off when you look at it. (3) The engine was undulating like crazy so I ended up covering the atmospheric balance hole on the carb plate and now it runs good. (4) We have a paved strip where I fly. Last time I was out, when I was rolling down to taxi back in, I hit a small rock, plane nosed in, destroyed the pants and ate a $25 prop. BME shipped replacement pants right away. I replaced my wheels with 3.75" units and back at it.

Overall - I like the plane a bunch. But the truth be told, my Goldberg Monster Pitts with a YS DZ 140 is a much better deal